#desperado not being on streaming is a direct attack on me

[soupy-sez]

THE BEASTIE BOYS in Tougher Than Leather (1988) dir. Rick Rubin

[ghostofviperwrites]

Suzuki Gunz Crime Family - Chapter 4

Warnings:  Violence, language, torture 

 July 7, 1997

Shaking off the unsavory thoughts of Taka’s upbringing Minoru thought instead of how far the boy had come in those two years.  Giving him free reign to extract his revenge on his family had created an unshakeable bond with the boy.  With the participation of Kanemaru, Taichi, Iizuka and Minoru a bond had been cemented between them and Taka fit right in with the boys.  He was fondly referred to as their little brother, and they would be lying if they said they didn’t have a protective streak when it came to Taka. But woe be the fool who underestimated the kid.  He had a vicious acumen that made Minoru proud.  Many were fooled by his almost adorable demeanor and calm countenance.   Those who crossed him didn’t live to tell the tale as they got introduced to an entirely different side of Taka.  

The door once again open and the attention of the group focused on the newest arrival Kyosuke Mikami. Kyosuke had adopted the moniker El Desperado, never appearing in public without a mask, keeping his identity a mystery all except for his adopted brothers.  Affectionately referred to as Despy by those closest to him the 19-year-old radiated aggression and dominance.   He had only been with the family for a little over a year, but he had been family from day one.  

Flashback February 3, 1996

Minoru strolled through the warehouse doors as if he owned the place.  Of course by the time he and his boys were done in here, he would.   Kanemaru was to his right, long metal pipe in hand whistling cheerfully as he flashed a smile at the nervous men standing around the warehouse. Iizuka hung back by the warehouse doors, baseball bat in hand as he made sure nobody left before the boss gave the say so.   Several members of Minoru’s various crews were outside dealing with the perimeter. On Minoru’s left was Taichi no visible weapon clear as his hands were tucked into his pockets, but his very essence begged someone to try him.   Screams echoing from a back room caught Minoru’s attention.  Not because of the screams, those were encountered on the daily in his line of work.  No, it was the type of screams.  These were not of terror or pain, these were screams of rage.  Turning to Taka who was guarding his back Minoru nodded in the direction of the screams, watching as Taka headed towards the sounds to gather some information for his boss.  

Taka pushed open the door to the room that housed the screams, quickly taking in the scene.  Strapped down to the table was a teenage boy, body bloodied as a man stood above him, carving his face with a knife.  

“Step away.” Taka said knife at the ready.  

“Go away boy.”  One of men mocked as they saw the young boy ordering them around. “This doesn’t concern you.”  

“it concerns my boss which means it concerns me.”  Taka said with a small smile.  “So unless Minoru comes in here and gives the okay for you to continuing cutting this poor fucker up, you’re going to back the fuck up or I’m going to fuck you up.”   The men warily glanced at each other, Taka’s utter confidence throwing them off.   He spoke as if it was a foregone conclusion that he would destroy them. Coupled with his mention of Minoru Suzuki it gave them pause.  He may not be a big name in the crime world yet, but Minoru had a quickly spreading reputation as a sadistic man who always came out on top, no matter the odds against him.  

Putting down their weapons the men filed out of the room, leaving Taka with the profusely bleeding man.  

“Let me up, I’m gonna go kill those fuckers,” the boy spat struggling against the binds holding him down.  “I’m gonna cut their fucking guts out.”  Taka smiled.   He liked this kid.  He had spirit.  Here he was all beaten and bloodied.  Cut up like a pig and all he wanted to do was get at those who had hurt him.  

Sticking his head out the door, Taka saw Minoru and company had the situation firmly in hand, some men kneeling at their feet, while bodies lay scattered around the floor.  

“I’m gonna let this kid up, kay Boss?”  Taka called getting Minoru’s attention.  “And save those two.”  He pointed at the two men kneeling with the others.  Looking at the kid he considered his little brother Minoru recognized the look on his face very well.  He imagined it was akin to his own when he had discovered Taka.  With an agreeing nod Minoru turned his attention to the blood covered men Taka had pointed out.  

Moving back into the room Taka cut the ropes binding the boy to the table, staring worriedly at him as he rose to his feet unsteadily, blood continuing in a steady stream down his face.  

“C’mon kid, let’s go meet the boss.”   Taka said gesturing for him to exit ahead of him.  The kid wasn’t going to accept help, that much was certain, so Taka didn’t offer a helping hand, instead following behind him, ready to catch him if he passed out.  Which Taka was shocked he hadn’t yet.  

Minoru looked up from his questioning of the men, frowning as he saw the kid Taka was leading towards him.   Both sides of his face were cut to ribbons, blood pouring from the wounds.  There were also gashes running down his chest, that weren’t bleeding quite a profusely. Long dyed blonde hair hung over his shoulders, the ends coated in his own blood.   Those were all attention worthy, but it was the eyes that had Minoru’s focus.  Ice blue and burning with rage and seeking vengeance.  

“He wants to gut them,” Taka told Minoru as they reached his side sounding almost proud.  

“Your name boy?” Minoru asked.

“Kyosuke Mikami” He said glaring at the men kneeling at Minoru’s feet, his fingers clenching as he imagined slicing them open as they had him.  But he wasn’t going to stop at superficial wounds, oh no, he was going to rip apart their insides.   He looked at the fierce men surrounding them.  If they let him.  He wasn’t stupid.  He knew he was hopelessly outmanned by them.  What he was surprised to see what that not one of their faces held pity for him.   Instead he saw understanding. Along with something he didn’t want to put a name to: kinship.  Kyosuke held his head up proudly, refusing to show weakness in front of them even though he was close to passing out.  

“How did you end up here Kyosuke?”  Minoru asked.

“They took me from my family.”  Kyosuke nodded at the men who had been torturing them.  “thought they could get a ransom for me.” He huffed a disillusioned laugh.  “When my family told them to keep me, that I was worthless they got angry.  Thought they could torture me into giving up information.  I don’t care what they do to me.  How much my family betrayed me.  I will not betray them.  Not until I look them in the fucking eyes before I slit their goddamn throats.”  

“Seems fair.” Minoru said getting nods of agreement from Kanemaru and Taichi.  “And what of these men.”  

“I want to turn their insides outside,” Kyosuke said fiercely, just before collapsing at Minoru’s feet.

Taka knelt down, checking Kyosuke’s pulse before casting his infamous sad eyes up at Minoru.

“Put those away Taka.” Minoru said rolling his own eyes.  “He’s already coming with us.”  

“Take these two back to our grounds.”  Minoru directed Kanemaru.   “We’ll get Kyosuke his justice.”  Looking at the rest of the men who had tried to betray his family Minoru sneered. “Taichi, Iizuka, kill the rest of them.”

With those words Minoru helped Taka carry the newest member of their family to the waiting SUV.   They would get him home and get him medical attention.  Once he was strong enough Minoru would grant him the same opportunity for vengeance that he had granted Taka.   He only hoped the boy felt the same kinship towards him and his family, that they already felt towards him.  

Two days later when Kyosuke came to, he woke in a panic surrounding by unfamiliar furnishings.  Seeing a knife on the bedside table Kyosuke blindly grabbed it and jumped from the bed swinging it defensively as he waited for an attack.  

“You won’t need that here,” A calming, somewhat familiar voice spoke making Kyosuke spin around holding the knife out.  “At least not against me.  You may wish to use it on the men waiting for you in the basement.”  He chuckled, the sound making a chill run down Kyosuke’s spine. He focused on the man, memories of him coming to his mind as he remembered him and his friends rescuing him. Slowly lowering the knife Kyosuke moved back against the wall, keeping it in his hand just in case.  

“Who are you?” Kyosuke asked.  

“My name is Minoru Suzuki.  I am the Kumichō of the Suzuki Gunz Crime Family.  This is my home.  Myself and my brothers made the decision to bring you here for recuperation. And revenge if you so wish.”  Minoru said.

“Why would you want to help me?” Kyosuke asked suspiciously.  People didn’t do things out of the goodness of their hearts.  At least not where he was from.  

“Instincts.”  Minoru said simply.  “My family is not one borne of blood.  It is made of a bond that transcends bloodlines.  We are family because we choose to be. Our instincts brought us together. Myself, Kanemaru, Iizuka and Taichi. Then little Taka came along and we opened our family to him.  And now we wish to do the same for you.”

“You don’t know me,” Kyosuke sneered.  “You’re just going to open your house to some strange kid whose own family doesn’t want him?  Aren’t you worried about what’s wrong with me that they don’t love me? That they would just hand me over without a complaint.”  

“I understand trust is difficult and will take time to form.  I just hope you will look past your anger and see what the five of us have seen.”  Minoru said peering at the angry boy.   He didn’t blame the kid for being suspicious. Going by the little he knew, Minoru could tell he was unused to kindness.  “I will tell of you none of us come from ideal situations.  All I was to my father was an heir to carry on the greatness of his name.   Taichi’s father beat him mercilessly and forced him into servitude.  Iizuka was abandoned by his family and left on the streets.  Taken in by my father who forced him to service.  Kanemaru was raised by parents who never wanted a child and made sure he knew it.   Taka survived unspeakable abuse by those called his blood.  Blood means nothing to us.”  Minoru spat trying to swallow back the rage that always formed when he thought about the injustices his brothers had experienced.  “I will let them reveal their full stories to you should you elect to stay.  Understand you are under no obligation.  I will not force choices onto anyone I bring under my protection.  If you wish to exact your vengeance and move on, that is your choice.  We will assist you in any way you wish.”  

Kyosuke sunk down onto the end of the mattress, his mind whirling as he tried to comprehend this complete stranger offering him something his own family never extended.  Acceptance.   His face dropped to his hands making him feel the bandages reminding him of his wounds.  Woodenly rising to his feet, he approached the mirror on the wall staring at his reflection.  Swallowing back the bile threatening to rise he ripped at the bandages throwing them on the floor as he stared at his reflection.  Three rows of stitches on the left side with four down the right.   Three diagonal rows stretching from his pecs to his ribs.  

“The cuts didn’t do any permanent nerve damage as far as the doctor can tell, but they are going to leave rather significant scarring.”  Minoru said softly.  

“Great.”  Kyosuke muttered sarcastically.  “Guess now I’m really a freak.”

“Never.”  Minoru said emphatically. “You are not a freak.  You are a survivor.  A warrior.   You should have no shame in who you are.”   Minoru watched the play of emotions; anger, sadness, desperation, resilience.  After several moments of silence Minoru spoke “Kyosuke?”

“No.  Don’t call me that.”  Kyosuke spat with an emphatic shake of his head.  “I don’t want to ever be called that again.”

“Fair enough.”  Minoru said.  “What would you like to be called?”

Kyosuke stared back at the mirror, flames of anger burning deep inside.  A desperate desire raging.  

“El Desperado.”